Igawa, Rodriguez hope to help Yankees against Athletics

OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- Kei Igawa was bailed out by Alex
Rodriguez in his major league debut. He hopes he will not need
the second time around.

Igawa makes his second career start Friday when the New York
Yankees open a three-game series against the Oakland Athletics.

The Yankees posted a $26 million bid to win exclusive
negotiating rights with Igawa (0-0, 12.60 ERA), who inked a
five-year deal worth $20 million in December.

The Japanese lefthander struggled in his major league debut
Saturday, yielding seven runs in five innings. But thanks to a
game-winning grand slam by Rodriguez, New York rallied for a
10-7 victory over the Baltimore Orioles.

After struggling through a 2006 campaign marred by constant
media and fan criticism, Rodriguez has started this season with
a bang, batting .355 while leading the majors with six homers
and 16 RBI over his first eight games.

Rodriguez hopes to continue hit hot hitting against the
Athletics, who have lost four of their last six games, managing
a total of just 11 runs over that stretch.

Despite scoring three first-inning runs Wednesday, Oakland
sputtered to a 6-3 loss here to the Chicago White Sox. Mike
Piazza ripped a two-run double in the contest and is batting a
team-leading .350 this season.

The A's give the ball to Dan Haren (0-2, 0.69). Despite
yielding only one combined earned run in his first two starts
this season, Haren has been the victim of poor offense and
sloppy defense this season. The A's have scored only one run
for the righthander while committing three combined errors in
his two outings.

Haren hopes for better support Friday in his first home start of
the campaign. He went 5-7 with a 3.75 ERA in 16 outings here
last season.